Training

Training

Whether this is your first JDRF Ride or your twentieth, the JDRF team of coaches are equipped to enhance your ride experience. From sharing training plans to assisting in meeting your personal Ride Day goal, to hosting training rides with your local community of JDRF riders, your team of coaches have the resources to enable you to reach your Ride goals safe, sound, smiling and under your own power. Our team of coaches are prepared to support your training needs, based on how and where you feel comfortable riding.

Coaches

Rhiannon Thoreson

JDRF Ride Coach

Being a JDRF Ride to Cure Coach is my opportunity to give back to an organization that has given me more than I can ever repay. Throughout the last 18 years participating in fundraising walks and rides I’ve seen impressive advancements from research, drawn inspiration from countless stories, been motivated by courageous T1Ds, and found support in the JDRF community. As a coach, I get to lend a "little hand" to cyclists in their fundraising and training with the hopes of removing anything that gets in the way of being part of the JDRF community.

JDRF's team of coaches are here to enhance your ride experience by maintaining a culture of safety and creating an inclusive environment for you as you train together in preparation for Ride Day.

Our coaches will help you set realistic goals, organize group rides in your area, monitor your progress and provide clinics on everything from buying your first bike to how to change a flat tire.

Every year, thousands of riders accomplish things they never thought possible. Register today and discover what you can accomplish.

To learn more about our coaches, email ride@jdrf.org.

Training Tips

JDRF has a series of tools and resources that will help you reach your cycling goals. Once you register, you'll have access to:

  • Training Rides
  • A JDRF Coach (either local or remote)
  • Ride newsletters with fundraising tips and best practices
  • Customizable training plans for your distance goal

These are just a few of the tools we offer. If you'd like to learn more about our training resources, email ride@jdrf.org.

Training FAQ

What type of bike do I need to do the JDRF Ride?

The simple answer is any bike that is comfortable and that is in good operating condition. When doing a JDRF ride, these are not races. These are fundraising events where you ride the distance you are comfortable riding.

Join us from your bike seat. Whether it be a road bike, mountain bike, or an indoor trainer; we will have opportunities for you to join us from any space.

What are some tips to help me set a goal?

Decide what you want to achieve this year. Here are some examples to help you think through your own goals:

  • Choose how and when you want to participate. Set a mileage goal and slowly build up to your desired distance throughout the season.
  • Set a season-long distance goal: number of miles, number of hours on the bike (or number of Peloton classes), number of days, etc. Set the date you wish to achieve it. These can be achieved on any type of bike, on any type of road, on your indoor trainer or even on your Peloton.

Regardless of how you choose to participate:

  • Once you've chosen your route, share with your community. Share your goal and continue to update your progress throughout the season so they can cheer you on.
  • Stay motivated and build miles by joining JDRF group rides in your area, as well as the T1D communities on Zwift and Peloton.

I want this year to be my first 100-mile bike ride. What are some tips to help me ride the distance and feel comfortable in doing so?

  1. Check out our training plan section and leave yourself enough time to safely build your fitness and endurance over the weeks and months leading up to your ride. Share your goals with your Coach and teammates so that they can help support your training efforts.
  2. Don't ride too fast! The objective is to complete the distance and typically if you can ride at least 10-11 miles per hour steadily, you will be able to complete the 100-mile distance.
  3. Be sure to stay hydrated during your ride. You should take a sip from your water bottle often while riding, every 10-15 minutes at least, even if you don't feel thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated, and it may become difficult to make up for lost water at that point.
  4. Stay fueled for the ride. Cycling requires a lot of energy, and you will need to keep eating during the ride to have enough energy to keep going strongly. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, energy bars and gels, fruit and other easy-to-digest foods that are easy to eat and keep you fueled.
  5. Train and ride with a friend. There are two very good reasons to ride with a friend: It's safer and it's more fun! If anything should happen such as a flat tire, it's always better to have someone along to help. Many participants find great connections within the local JDRF Ride community, building lifelong friendships while working towards a common goal.

How often should I be riding?

The number one way to get better at riding a bike is by riding a bike. Your coach will help you set your mileage goal and will create a plan that will help you reach it.

How many miles should I ride in training for my JDRF Ride?

  1. Your longest training ride should be 75-80% of the distance of your ride goal. Why not 100%? That's because if you can ride 80%, or 80 miles if you are aiming for a century distance, then you should be able to make it the last 20. You will have the opportunity to complete your ride your way, and in your own time.
  2. Your weekly mileage should equal or exceed the number of miles you plan to ride at your desired event. For example, if you are planning to ride 100 miles then your weekly mileage should average 100 or more miles. All miles count and accumulate as far as your body is concerned. If you can consistently put in 100 miles a week in the final few weeks approaching your Ride to Cure, you will be fine. So, 5 days of 20 miles will work if that's all you can manage. However, you should still be working your way up to a progressively longer ride each week, as described in #1 above.

What's the best piece of advice you can give me as a first-time rider?

The JDRF Ride is not just about riding a bike; it's about raising the money to impact those living with type 1 diabetes through JDRF's mission. Many participants find that through signing up for the Ride they end up changing their lives by becoming part of a community. The "bike" becomes more than a fundraising tool, it becomes a diabetes fighting machine. Enjoy every mile by getting to know new friends and recognizing the difference you are making in the lives of many people, including your own.

Thank you to our Sponsors

National One Society Diamond Partners

Raise more for T1D research with the JDRF Ride App.

Fundraising is easier than ever with our NEW mobile app. Share your story and connect with more donors through text, email and social media. Deposit checks and monitor your fundraising progress on the go! You’ll reach your goal in no time!